held up, headway over 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, led over 1f out, soon clear
led, headed last, soon weakened
tracked leader, weakened approaching last
prominent, weakened after last
held up, weakened approaching last
always behind
tracked leaders on outside, led last, headed over 1 out, soon beaten
prominent, no impression over 1 out
LE PLATINO has been raised 9lbs for a 10 length Haydock win last time and is taken to defy the handicapper and repeat the dose, while Doc Wells might provide the strongest opposition. The selection was winning over a similar trip to this, so that won't be a problem, and as the race was on heavy ground he will not be inconvenienced here. With nothing else in such good form he can go in again. Doc Wells has made the frame over timber on a couple of occasions and represents a yard whose runners are in decent form. He should have the ability to get very competitive from this mark, although has to prove himself on bottomless ground. Locked Inthepocket is coming along steadily and will probably win a race at some future point, while Time Bandit looks well handicapped on his chase form if he is able to reproduce his form of a couple of seasons ago after a lengthy absence. King Of Confusion is a bit of a monkey who would have gone close to winning here last time before running out at the last. The ground may be a bit too soft for him anyway, and you take your chances if backing him, and we prefer Le Platino.
King of Confusion (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up behind, headway 4 out, effort on outside 2 out, staying on and every chance when ran out last, in a race won by Glingerbank (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs, 12 ran.
Sirkeel (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Led to before 7th, with leader, led again 3 out, headed last, ridden and one pace flat, 5th of 13, 11l behind Mcmurrough (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Doc Wells (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Close up on outside, mistake 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure flat, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Mcmurrough (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Le Platino (GER) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders, in 3rd after 4 out, led 2 out, forged clear from last, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy beating Sonny Mullen (10-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Bleu Pois (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Held up, struggling from 12th, behind when ran out last, in a race won by Description (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Time Bandit (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, reminders at 6th, chased leaders approaching 9th, weakened from 11th, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Bronson F'sure (11-6) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr '08, 10 ran.
Locked Inthepocket (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 3rd after last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Sambulando (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in May.
Political Pendant 9-2 (11-2) Reluctant to race, towards rear, headway 3 out, effort when mistake next, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Harry Flashman (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '07.